Observation: Public
Observation Details
Name:
Enji CooperObservation Date:
November 29, 2020Submitted:
November 29, 2020Zone or Region:
East CentralActivity:
XC Skiing/SnowshoeingLocation:
Sasse Ridge Trail/Jolly Mountain TrailSigns of Unstable Snow
Observations
Ascended from Sno Park near Cayuse Camp using NF-4315 until 4.6k’, then aggressively climbed up exposed ridge to bypass forestry road switchbacks up to Sasse Ridge Trail around 5.1k’. Conditions observed in lower elevations when ascending matched dry loose conditions (was kicking up loose dry carbs).
Followed trail up to 47.3859, -121.0432, then aggressively took ridge out of habit.
Observed wind slab and cornice conditions described earlier along ridge, but attempted to stay on top of ridge.
Took a gamble and went lower to cut trip distance since I was running into heavier snowpack around West Fork Teanaway Trail junction at 47.3900, -121.0307, then realized risk was greater than originally advertised, so I retook ridge.
Observed wind fetch in basin along trail up to Jolly Mountain summit, along with some cornices. Stuck to northern/eastern aspects up to ridge spine near summit as they weren’t under cornices and were planar surfaces with wind scouring.
Followed my original route out, staying high on Sasse Ridge Trail.
Didn’t observe new avalanche debris, but saw a fair bit of surface hoar snow on trip due to cold exposed nights, suggesting future persistent slab issues.
Temperature starting at car was around 24 degrees F and temperature ending at car was around 36 degrees F. Day was mostly obscured by clouds after 10:00 and there were small flurries around 11:30 near Sasse Ridge/Jolly Mountain summit.
Media
Advanced Observations
Observed Avalanche Problem #1:
Wind SlabComments:
Noticed wind slab conditions and wind scouring when using snowshoes around 47.3901, -121.0306 on south side of ridge. Snow at test area was low coverage (approximately 20cm).Doing hand shear test identified potential wind slab/storm slab concern with top layers, both approximately 2cm-3cm deep in surface. Slabs were not well bonded and were over weak (dry powder) layer.
Some of the qualitative observations matched behavior seen in lower aspects down near West Fork Teanaway basin (south side of bowl).
Observed Avalanche Problem #2:
CorniceComments:
Noticed multiple cornices starting to form along Sasse Ridge and at Jolly Mountain. All cornices but 1 were benign in appearance. The remaining cornice of risk was on an previous slide path, near the Sasse Ridge Trail and Jolly Mountain Trail junction at 47.3901, -121.0306 on northern side of basin.That being said, many of the cornices observed had tails pointing towards the West Fork Teanaway Basin.